365:222 PER BIRKHAUG

I thought it was time to send something to the 365 again. This time it's another one of our lovely Eurasian, Mira. She definitely enjoys her time in the snow. One could suspect she's specially suited to the conditions of winter...

That said, lately I've been thinking quite a bit about recent events in the world. As you've noted on the show, the "C" word is almost obsolete now, given what's taking place in Ukraine. As a former military officer (about 20 years in the Norwegian Navy) I must admit to an interest in the pure military circumstances. But that interest is more than balanced out by the perspective from my present line of work as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. At times I feel somewhat torn between the part of me cheering on the Ukranian military in their fight against an aggressor, and the part of me understanding the massive amount of trauma now accumulating on both sides.

And of course, amid all this, the feeling of futility in making photographs. I do find some comfort in Samuel Becketts words in such instances: "I can't go on. I'll go on".

I find that to be about being able to continue what we do, without any greater purpose or meaning, because what we do is what we do. And of course, there will be memories afterward. Looking at Mira in the snow, content, probably happy, just laying there in the snow, it's kind of hard to imagine that at the same time Ukrainians are fleeing their homes and their country. And some (a lot) of them are fighting for their freedom from oppression (because make no mistake, oppression is what awaits them if Vladimir has his way).

When we think about that and then turn our attention to something so trivial as making photos, well it can be hard to see the point. Other photographers are better positioned and better at it. I'm thinking of Mark Neville, Mikhail Palinchack, Wolfgang Schwan and all the others doing such important work documenting what's going on (I've started following them on Instagram, and am awed by what they are able to accomplish). So, "I can't go on. I'll go on", making these photographs of seemingly little importance. Just because that is what I do.

I'm glad you made that special "Voices from Ukraine" episode. I wouldn't mind if you decided to talk to Mark, Mikhail, Wolfgang or any other photographer in Ukraine again in a later episode, if just to hear how they fare.

All the best, Per Birkhaug.

See more of Per’s work on his Instagram.